Now the sevak of Shri Gusainji, Haridas Baniya of Merta, speaks the sentiment of his Varta.
Prasang 1 – The First Meeting and Acceptance of Service
So, at first, there was not a single Vaishnav in Merta. The king of Merta, Jaimalji Rajput, was a great Shaiva. Therefore, the entire village followed the king’s religion. Once, Shri Gusainji came to Dwarkaji for the darshan of Shri Ranchhodji. At that time, Shri Gusainji made camp outside Merta. That same evening, Haridas had come outside the village. There, Haridas took the darshan of Shri Gusainji. After that, this thought arose in Haridas’s mind—that I will become his sevak. At that time, Shri Gusainji was seated on a raised platform and performing the evening prayers. Just then, Haridas bowed fully before Shri Gusainji and made a humble request, saying, “Maharaj! Please show your grace to me and give me a name. Then I will become your sevak.” At that time, Haridas was eighteen years old. At that very moment, Shri Gusainji gave Haridas a name. After that, he had the initiation performed. Then Haridas came to his home and immediately brought his wife and his daughter to Shri Gusainji and had their names initiated as well. After that, Haridas offered whatever gift he could and, asking leave of Shri Gusainji, returned to his home.
After some days, Shri Gusainji returned from Dwarka and again made camp outside Merta in the same manner. When Haridas learned that the Lord had arrived, he came for darshan. There, Haridas took the darshan of Shri Gusainji, bowed down, and made a request, saying, “Maharaj! Please, by your grace, entrust me with some service.” Then Shri Gusainji entrusted him with the service of Bhagwan. The next morning, Haridas invited Shri Gusainji to his home. There, Shri Gusainji bathed Shri Thakurji, dressed him in garments, adorned him, dressed him in seasonal attire, offered bhog, and prepared food himself. After offering the bhog, he offered the royal bhog to Shri Thakurji. After the proper time, the bhog was concluded, arti was performed, and resting arrangements were made for Shri Thakurji. Then Shri Gusainji took his meal, served food to the three of them on leaf-plates, and went to rest. After resting, at the time of rising, Shri Gusainji sat upon a cushion and pillow.
Then Haridas asked Shri Gusainji about all the methods of service and applied the tilak of victory to the Lord. As a farewell offering, whatever was in Haridas’s house, he offered all of it to Shri Gusainji. After that, Shri Gusainji departed for Shri Gokul. Haridas accompanied Shri Gusainji for a short distance, bade farewell, and returned home. After that, Haridas continued to serve Shri Thakurji properly.
Bhav Prakash (Revealing the Sentiment): Haridas is, in divine play, a companion of Ratnaprabha. His name there is Pravalika. He is a tamas devotee. He manifested from Ratnaprabha; therefore, her sentiment is his essential form. Pravalika has two companions. One is named Ujiyari, and the other is named Sitala. Know that Haridas’s daughter is the form of Ujiyari, and Haridas’s wife is the manifestation of Sitala. These two also became helpers to Haridas in service here.
Thus, while Haridas continued performing service, many days passed. Then someone went and complained to Jaimalji about Haridas, saying, “A baniya named Haridas lives in your village. He observes the Ekadashi fast, and he does not come to your temple for darshan.” Hearing these words, the king became extremely displeased with Haridas. At that very time, the king sent four men to summon Haridas. The king instructed those men, saying, “Bring Haridas here immediately.” Those men came to Haridas and said, “Jaimalji has summoned you right now, so come quickly.” Haridas immediately went with them to Jaimalji’s court, offered salutations, and stood there. The men informed the king, “Haridas has arrived.” Then King Jaimalji, in anger, said to Haridas, “Why, Haridas! Why do you not come to my temple for darshan? And why do you observe the Ekadashi fast?” Then Haridas, also becoming angry, said to Jaimalji, “Jaimal! Why should one living in your village follow your religion? Kings like you, desiring the darshan of our Lord, lie fallen at many doors. And you call yourself a great king here, following your own mind?” Hearing these words, the king became extremely enraged and said, “Look! On whose support does this baniya speak? Therefore, kill him immediately.” So those men took Haridas away to kill him.
The king’s sister heard all this news, exactly as it happened, from the mouth of her maid. That sister of the king was also a sevak of Shri Gusainji. She understood that this Vaishnav was being brought to harm without cause. So she stood at the door of her residence. When those men brought Haridas from the court and came in front of the women’s quarters, the king’s sister came out, caught hold of Haridas’s hand, and took him into her palace.
Bhav Prakash (Revealing the Sentiment): In divine play, she is a close companion of Pravalika, and her name is Premmanjari. Their sentiments are alike; therefore, there is great affection between them. Premmanjari has one companion named Kishori. Here, that Kishori became King Jaimal.
Those men then went and informed the king, saying, “Maharaj! Your sister seized Haridas by the hand and freed him from us and took him inside.” Hearing this, the king became extremely furious and said, “Look! My sister, who has never even seen the face of any man, has taken a baniya by the hand and brought him into the palace. If my name is truly Jaimal, then first I will kill my sister, and then I will kill the baniya.” Resolving this in his mind, Jaimalji took a naked sword in his hand and went to his sister’s house. There he saw that his sister had seated Haridas on a stool, and she herself was standing and fanning him. King Jaimalji went and stood before his sister. Seeing the king angry, the sister smiled and said, “Brother! Today you would have destroyed your own house. Why would such a Lord do this, that our lineage be destroyed? If even a single Vaishnav resides in a village, he delivers the entire village. Therefore, fall at his feet. This is a Vaishnav sevak of Shri Gusainji. Upon his head dwells the Lord of the three worlds. Why commit an offense against him?” Then the king said, “What should I do now?” Then the king, frightened in his heart, touched Haridas’s feet and returned to his court.
The king then said to his sister, “Serve him well, please him, have my offense forgiven, and then send him home.” Saying this, the king went to his court after making a request to Haridas. After the king left, the king’s sister said to Haridas, “Haridasji, please take water.” Haridas replied, “I do not take water anywhere except in my own home.” Then the king’s sister understood that he did not yet regard her as a Vaishnav. Then she caught Haridas by the hand, took him into her palace, and gave him darshan of her Shri Thakurji. Shri Gusainji resided upon that deity, and there were the handwritten letters of the Lord. Haridas took darshan of them properly, performed a full prostration, and became extremely joyful. Then he took water there.
Then Haridas asked the king’s sister, “By what means did you come into the refuge of Shri Gusainji?” The king’s sister replied, “I was twenty years old. One day, I went up to my terrace. At that time, Shri Gusainji had camped in a certain garden. I obtained the Lord’s darshan. Then I wrote a letter of supplication and sent it to the Lord through a maid. In that letter, I wrote all the circumstances of my household, saying, ‘Maharaj! The associations in my house are such that I cannot come for your darshan, nor can you come to my home. I am surrounded by very wicked people. I desire my deliverance. I am your maidservant, so please make me your sevak in some way. And kindly send a reply to this letter.’ That maid went and placed my letter into the sacred hands of Shri Gusainji. The Lord read it and, knowing my great distress, graciously sent me a letter of initiation. In that letter, the Lord wrote, ‘After bathing and remaining pure, read this letter.’ I followed the Lord’s instructions exactly. Then I sent a request letter asking for the entrustment of service. Then Shri Gusainji, by his grace, sent written instructions describing the daily service and all the annual festivals. Thus, according to the Lord’s command, I perform service in this manner.” Hearing the king’s sister’s account, Haridas experienced great joy. Then she escorted Haridas and sent him to his home. Thus, Haridas returned home.
After some days, Shri Gusainji heard this account in Shri Gokul. Then Shri Gusainji set out from Shri Gokul toward Dwarkaji for the darshan of Shri Ranchhodji. When he came near Merta, Shri Gusainji instructed his attendants, saying, “Leave Merta on the left. Do not take the road of that village.” Thus, Shri Gusainji passed by the boundary of Merta. Then Haridas went ahead, took the darshan of Shri Gusainji, and bowed down. After that, he made a request to Shri Gusainji and had him camp there. Haridas offered gifts before Shri Gusainji, and the king’s sister had also sent offerings, which he presented, bowing down. Then Shri Gusainji asked Haridas about all the events. Haridas narrated everything before the Lord. Hearing Haridas’s words, Shri Gusainji became extremely pleased. Then he opened his basket, placed bhog, took a little food, and proceeded onward.
Later, the king’s sister said to Jaimalji, “See, brother! You committed an offense against a Vaishnav. Now Shri Gusainji does not even enter the boundary of your village, nor does he come into the village. Look! The dust is rising there, the Lord is departing for Dwarkaji.” Then Jaimalji said to his sister, “If you tell me, I will have Shri Gusainji’s chariot turned back.” The sister replied, “This work is not done by force. This work is done through humility. Therefore, when Shri Gusainji returns from Dwarkaji, then with humility, invite him into your village.”
Then Jaimalji said to his sister, “Yes, very good. When he returns, I will have him come into my village.” After that, the king established post stations between Dwarkaji and Merta, instructing them, “When Shri Gusainji returns from Dwarkaji, and wherever he makes camp, inform me of every place.” In this manner, Jaimalji gave orders to the post-station attendants. Thus, daily reports continued to reach Jaimalji.
After Shri Gusainji took the darshan of Shri Ranchhodji and began returning, reports of the camps made in each village continued to reach Jaimalji. When the king learned that the Lord had come near his village, he sent a man to call Haridas Baniya. Haridas came and stood in the king’s court. Then King Jaimalji took Haridas by the hand, led him to a private place, and made a humble request, saying, “Today Shri Gusainji has camped in such-and-such a village. Therefore, tomorrow let us depart from here, take darshan of the Lord the following day, and have him camp in our village. Please forgive my offense, show mercy upon me, and take me with you to give me darshan of the Lord. By your grace, I will be fulfilled. You are a Vaishnav, so surely show this mercy to me.” In this way, Jaimalji made many humble requests to Haridas.
Then Haridas, knowing the king’s pure intention, showed mercy, became pleased, and said, “This is good.” The next day, the king went out of the village along with Haridas. When he heard that Shri Gusainji had come very near, he went and stood on the path by which the Lord was to arrive first. Then Shri Gusainji saw Jaimalji’s army and asked someone, “Whose army is this?” They replied to Shri Gusainji, “Maharaj, this is the army of Jaimalji, the king of Merta.” Hearing these words, Shri Gusainji turned his chariot toward another path.
Then Jaimalji, who was on that path along with Haridas, ran ahead and fell down before Shri Gusainji’s chariot. The charioteer stopped the chariot. Then Haridas bowed fully before Shri Gusainji and made many humble requests, saying, “Maharaj, this Jaimalji has come to invite you. He requests permission to offer obeisance.” Then the Lord permitted Jaimalji to bow down. Haridas then had Jaimalji offer obeisance to the Lord.
After that, Jaimalji made a humble request to Shri Gusainji, saying, “Maharaj, blessed are the fortunes of Haridas, for he is in your refuge. You are called the Lord of Gokul. I am extremely ignorant. I considered Haridas to be of very low understanding. But upon whose head a Lord like you resides, how can the destiny of that soul be obstructed? Therefore, Maharaj, now I am in your refuge. Do with me as you wish. But please, just once, show mercy to me here, give me a name, and then come to my village. Please show this grace to me.” In this manner, King Jaimalji made many humble requests to Shri Gusainji.
Then Shri Gusainji, knowing his pure intention, had him bathe at that very place and gave him a name. After that, Shri Gusainji turned his chariot and came to Jaimalji’s village, making camp at the house of Haridas Baniya. From the place where Jaimalji received the name, he followed the Lord’s chariot step by step. After arranging the Lord’s camp at Haridas’s house, the king returned to his own home.
After that, King Jaimalji had a proclamation beaten throughout the entire village, saying, “O brothers! Whoever does not become a sevak of Shri Gusainji will not be allowed to live in my village.” Thus, the entire village received names from Shri Gusainji. After that, King Jaimalji had his sister, his sons, and all his relatives receive initiation. Then he invited Shri Gusainji to his own home. There, Shri Gusainji gave the king the form of Shri Thakurji, bathed him with the five nectars, personally prepared food there, offered bhog to Shri Thakurji, concluded the bhog at the proper time, performed arti, arranged rest, then took his own meal and rested there.
After that, the king asked Shri Gusainji about all the methods of service to Shri Thakurji, and the Lord explained everything. Then King Jaimalji kept Shri Gusainji in Merta for many days. After that, Shri Gusainji began preparing to go to Shri Gokul. Then the Lord said to the king, “If you have anything to ask, ask Haridas.” The king, becoming very pleased, bowed down to Shri Gusainji, offered many gifts, and bade farewell to the Lord for Shri Gokul. After that, Shri Gusainji took leave of Jaimalji and stayed one day at Haridas’s house. Then Shri Gusainji departed victoriously for Shri Gokul. Then the entire village came to see Shri Gusainji off. After sending everyone—the king and Haridas—back to their homes, the Lord himself proceeded to Shri Gokul.
Bhav Prakash (Revealing the Sentiment): In this Varta, Shri Gusainji revealed to the world the glory of the Bhagavadiyas. He demonstrated that if even a single Vaishnav resides in a village, then at some time that village is certainly delivered—there is no doubt in this.
After some days, this matter was heard by Nagji Bhat of Godhra—that Jaimalji, along with all of Merta, had become sevaks of Shri Gusainji. Then Nagji Bhat came from Godhra to Merta and entered the service of Jaimalji. After some time, the king appointed Nagji as an official and sent him to the Emperor. Then Jaimalji said to Nagji, “Go to the Emperor and accomplish our work.” Nagji completed the king’s work and then came to Shri Gusainji in Shri Gokul, offered many gifts, stayed one or two days with the Lord, and then returned to Merta. Shri Gusainji bade Nagji farewell properly.
Nagji returned to Merta and gave King Jaimalji the Emperor’s decree. Jaimalji became very pleased with Nagji, and afterward Nagji became the chief minister before King Jaimalji. Thus, following the instruction of King Jaimalji’s sister, he became such a Vaishnav.
Prasang 2 – The Marriage of Haridas’s Daughter
Haridas Baniya had one daughter, and she grew up. When Haridas began to think, “In my own community, there is no Vaishnav boy to whom I may give her,” he worried greatly. But no suitable boy came into view anywhere. Then one day, Haridas called his family priest and, along with him, his daughter and some wealth for the marriage. Haridas said to the priest, “Panditji, you yourself look for a good household and a groom for this girl, and somewhere far away from here, arrange her marriage.”
The priest first went to look for a groom. On the road to Dwarkaji, he arranged the engagement of Haridas’s daughter with a groom, then returned. From there, he took the girl along and performed the marriage there, and then came back. Afterward, the priest narrated all this to Haridas, saying, “In such-and-such a village, with the son of such-and-such a baniya, I arranged your daughter’s engagement and performed the marriage properly.” Hearing the priest’s words, Haridas remained silent. After that, giving the priest whatever he could, Haridas dismissed him.
This Haridas was such a favored Bhagavadiya of Shri Gusainji’s grace that he made the entire village, along with King Jaimalji, into Vaishnavs. From that day onward, whatever Jaimalji wished to ask, he would ask Haridas and then act. From that day, King Jaimalji greatly respected and feared Haridas. Haridas was such a favored Bhagavadiya of Shri Gusainji’s grace. Therefore, to what extent can his Varta be described?